The best of bluegrass coming up

With this beautiful weather it is time to go camping, and what better place to camp this Father’s Day weekend (June 19-21) than at the Sooke River Bluegrass Festival at the Sooke River Campground.

This family-friendly festival features a wide range of acoustic talent, along with food and merchandise vendors, bluegrass workshops and beautiful scenery. The line up Friday night includes The Lonely Heartstring Band and Mile Twelve, both from Boston, (in Victoria June 18 and 22) along with The Sweet Lowdown and Daniel Lapp.

On Saturday the Blackwood Two, Viper Central, Cluny Macpherson, Archie Pateman & Annie Louise Genest, the Clover Point Drifters, Hub City Ramblers, and Garrett Thompson Band grace the stage, followed by the Big Top Square Dance Saturday evening with YOMADA.

Sunday there is even more music before it is time to pack up and go home. And do not forget the bluegrass workshops on Saturday. For more information about the musicians and workshops please check out the festival website at http://www.sookebluegrass.com/festival/. Weekend passes are available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1433132. Day passes are also available. Camping passes need to be booked separately at http://www.sookecommunity.com/camping/ or phone 250- 642-6076.

Bluegrass Music Workshops – Saturday, June 20

Hosted by Viper Central band members:

Cost is $20, sign up at the festival grounds.

Bluegrass Harmony Singing – Kathleen Nisbet and Steve Charles

Mandolin – Mark Vaughan

Dobro – Tim Tweedale

Bass – Patrick Metzger

Hosted by The Sweet Lowdown band members:

Bluegrass & Old Time Rhythm Guitar (Beginner/Intermediate)

Bluegrass Fiddle (Beginner Plus/Intermediate)

Bluegrass Banjo – How to “Banjo-fy” a Melody (Beginner/Intermediate)

Check out the website for more detailed information about the various workshops, as well as a complete list of festival performers.

Weekend passes are available now for only $50 at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1433132. Day passes are also available.

For more information about the Sooke River Bluegrass Festival please check out the website at http://www.sookebluegrass.com/festival/ or phone Phil Shaver at 250-812-8144 or: studiobones@yahoo.com.

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